100 watt solar panel

Sounds like about double priced to me.

I have 3 panels plus controller plus some wiring, cost $390.
Throw in $400 for labor, ya got $790 total.

Way too much money. 265 watt system with Morningstar controller on my FW. About $700 self installed 2 years ago. I wouldn't give them more than $300 for the install assuming they used name brand products.

There is a difference between is what you are getting a good deal, is it enough and ultimately if done right, is solar something you would be willing pay for to get a need filled.

For us it is priceless to be able to be out in the middle of no where and camp comfortably without worrying about the batteries, listen to a generator or use the trailer like a tent. It's our rolling cabin and we use everything but the roof top air. We do have five times as solar as you are looking at and have yet to spend as much, but it gives you a idea of what can be done.

So what were you planning on using the solar for?

Solar panels are 'worth the money' - however do not accept a "Deal" like that one! I would tell them you don't want that brand anymore and go find another RV to look at.

You can buy a 100 watt panel for close to $100. Why spend more? They are probably also jacking up the prices on everything that much and more!

The price they quoted you is $11 per rated watt, and 100 watts is not even enough to make up for what the CO meter, propane detector and refrigerator use (35 amp hour per day). You would need a 120 watt panel to make that much power.

The manufacture should have a standard 100 watt panel, with a 300 watt upgrade that costs something on the order of around $1,000. At least that would give you a decent sized system, for your money! And it would do more than just keep up. IT also shades part of your roof! and keeps it cooler inside.

Check out this supplier. SunElec.com Look for a 12 volt "Nominal" solar panel, and a PWM controller. You can buy a 10 amp or 20 amp rated PWM controller for less than $50, and they will work well enough. You can spend the extra cash you are saving towards another panel, if you need more power.

Hopefully manufactures will figure out that solar panels should be standard, like dual pane windows, and refrigerators!

Fred.

mcsandman wrote:
Northwood RV wants $1,100 to park a 100w solar panel on top of it's RVs. I'll be RVing full time next year; so, please, convince me that that solar panel is worth the money.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too much money for that!

Moved from technology corner

Check out pricing at www.amsolar.com to get some perspective.

RV's for the most part need narrower panels than are used for commercial or residential applications and so they are more expensive per Watt of power.

A good panel that has seen widespread RV use for years is the Kyocera 140 Watt panel which is narrow and fits easily in many spots on the roof without shading from anything else up there. They sell for under $300.

The manufacturer is also charging for a solar charge controller though for one that handles 140 Watts or 6-7 amps of output at 17v output there are ones like from companies including Morningstar that sell for less than $50. The manufacturer is not buying these at retail so their costs for these two items is probably less than $200 in total so their $1000 listed price is a little bit on the high side and something that should definitely be negotiable if the dealer really wants to make a sale.

Thanks, all good comments. I sailed a 25' boat in Mexico with a 100w panel, and it did well. Part of that is: the panel was adjustable and close at hand, plus there was no problem with shade trees.

does that include a controller or just the panel and the wire? What size wire? What about the batteries? Would the system be expandable?

Hi,

Have them do a solar pre wire. Have them use #6 wire. Build your own system with inexpensive online parts.